Window structure



p 1955 G. c. GRIFFIN 3,208,110

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 30, 1965 V 2 sheets sheet 1 Fig. 2 9- George C. Griffin INVENTOR.

Sept. 28, 1965 G. c. GRIFFIN WINDOW STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 50, 1963 Fig.5

Fig. 3

George C. Griffin INVENTOR.

9 BY Wm mfiw fiM United States Patent 3,208,110 WKNDOW STRUQTURE George C. Griftin, Griifco Aluminum, Ind, 4325 St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, Fla. Filed 0st. 36, 1963, Ser. No. 320,188 6 Claims. (Cl. 20-52) The instant invention is generally concerned with window structure, and is more particularly directed toward a window including at least three vertically arranged sashes along with novel means for both facilitating the opening of the upper sash and for simultaneously locking the sashes automatically upon movement of the sashes to their closed position.

In many instances where tall double-hung windows are used, such as for example in schools, the height above the floor of the top rail of the bottom sash, where the lock is frequently located, is such so as to require the use of a pole or other means for disengaging and engaging the lock. In addition, such tall windows also similarly require the use of a pole, engageable with a pole ring on the upper sash, so as to open or pull down the upper sash. Accordingly, it is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a three-sash window having movable upper and lower sashes wherein the upper sash is provided with a depending extension in the form of a secondary sash which has, when the window is closed, the rails thereof positioned parallel to the rails of the middle sash for easy access thereto by one desiring to open the upper sash.

Also, it is an object of prime importance to provide a novel lock means which will automatically lock the upper and lower sashes upon a closing of both of the sashes, this lock means including a first lock automatically engageable with the upper sash and a second lock automatically securing the lower sash to the sill with the first mentioned lock being automatically disengaged by merely raising the lower sash.

In conjunction with the above object, it is also an object of the instant invention to provide a lock for the upper sash which is substantially completely sealed.

Further, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a window structure, which, while incorporating many significant advantages, is relatively simple in construction and easily accommodated to existing window frames.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the interior of the window structure of the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged partial vertical cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 22 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-sectional detail view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially along line l4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 in FIGURE 4;

Patented Sept. 28, 1965 FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 66 in FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGURE 6 however illustrating the upper sash held in its unlocked position;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the means utilized to bias the latch bar of the upper sash lock to its locked position; and

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the lock structure.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate the window structure comprising the instant invention. This window structure consists basically of a conventional window frame 12 and three vertically arranged sashes 14, if and 18. These sashes 14, 16 and 18 are mounted in a conventional manner within the frame 12 with the middle sash 16 being fixed while the upper sash 14 and lower sash 18 are vertically movable, suitable weather stripping 29 being provided as needed so as to form a weather-tight barrier. Incidentally, while these sashes have been illustrated as each containing a single large pane of glass 22, it should be appreciated that any suitable panels could be similarly mounted within the sashes, such as for example multi-light or stain glass Windows.

The upper sash 14 includes a top rail 24, a bottom rail 25, and two side rails 23, much in the manner of a conventional sash. However, in addition to this, the upper sash 14 includes secondary side rails 38 and a secondary bottom rail 32 forming a depending extension below the main bottom rail 25 with the secondary side rails 30 and bottom rail 32 paralleling, when the upper sash 14 is in its upper closed position, the side rails 34 and bottom rail 36 of the middle sash 16. The middle sash 16 also of course includes a top rail 38 which is coplanar with the bottom rail 26 of the upper sash 14.

By providing that the secondary bottom rail 32 of the upper sash 14 parallel the bottom rail 36 of the middle sash 16 it will be appreciated that, in order to open the upper sash 14, one needs merely open the lower sash 18 and reach only to the height of the rail 32. Further, the paralleling of the secondary rails 30 and 32 with the rails 34 and 36 insures that the depending extension in no way interferes with the over-all appearance of the window 10. If so desired, a handle 40 can be secured to the lower surface of the secondary bottom rail 32.

In order to lock the upper sash 14 in its closed position, a pair of locks 42 are provided. Each lock 42 includes a flat rectangular base 44, a securing flange 46 depending from one end thereof, two Vertically extending parallel ears 4%, an elongated latch bar 50 pivotally mounted between the cars 48 adjacent the upper end thereof by a transversely extending rod 52, and a biasing spring means 54 for biasing the latch bar 52 into its locking position.

Each lock 42 is mounted with the ears 48 inserted upwardly through an opening 54 in the bottom of the side rail 34 of the middle sash 16 so as to engage the upper surface of the base 44 against the bottom part of the sash 16 to which it is bolted by bolt means 56, the flange 46, at the same time, being positioned flush against the frame 12 to which it is bolted by bolt means 58.

With reference to FIGURES 6 and 7, it will be noted that the latch bar St is of a length so as to, in a first position, have the opposite ends thereof project, through suitable slots 60 and 62, into the vertical planes of the upper sash 14 and lower sash 16, and in a second position with these opposite ends being substantially retracted into the vertical rail 34. The spring 54, which biases the bar 50 into its first position as illustrated in FIGURE 6, consists of an elongated piece of resilient wire including an intermediate generally U-shaped portion 64, the legs of which are reversely bent, as at 66, so as to form a resilient section with each leg subsequently proceeding, parallel to the-other leg, transversely from the U-shaped portion 64 and terminating in outwardly directed hook portions 68. The spring 54 is mounted as shown in FIG- URES 6 and 7 with the mounting pin 52 extending through the reversely turned or looped portion 66, the bights of the U-shaped portion 54 engaged against the lower edge of the latch bar 50, and the hook portions 58 engaged about the rear edges of the vertical ear 48.

Referring specifically to the latch bar 59 it will be noted that end portion which projects through the slots 60 into the vertical plane of the upper sash 12 is in the form of an upwardly opening hook 70 which is engageable within a slot 72 in the secondary side rail 30 whereby downward movement of the upper sash 14 is prevented. The opposite projecting end of latch bar 50 projects into the vertical plane of the lower sash 18 at a point spaced slightly above the top rail 74 of this lower sash 18 with the lower surface of this projecting end forming an abutment portion, generally indicated by reference numeral 76, against which the lower sash 18 engages when this lower sash 18 is raised. As will be recognized from a comparison of FIGURES 6 and 7, the continuing raising of the lower sash 18 after engagement with the abutment surface 76 results in a pivoting of the latch bar 50 about the pin 52 and against the biasing force of the spring 54 in a manner so as to elfect a withdrawal of the hook portion 70 from the slot 72 in the secondary side rail 30 of the upper sash 14 thereby enabling a lowering of the upper sash 14. Once the upper sash 14 has been pulled down a sufiicient distance so as to move the slot 72 away from the hook portion 70, even a closing of the lower sash 18 will not effect a locking of the upper sash 14 in that the hook 70 will merely slide along the inner surface of the upper sash 14 until this upper sash 14 is also closed so as to align the hook 70 and the slot 72, at which time, the hook 70 is automatically thrown into locking position by the spring 54. In order to lock the entire window structure, a second lock 78 is provided at the center of the bottom rail 80 of the lower sash 18, this lock 78 being of the snap type which includes a spring bias hook 82 automatically engageable beneath a projection 84 aflixed to and extending outwardly from the window sill structure 86, this lock 78 also including a handle 88 which, upon being raised, will in a simple manner, disengage the hook 82 so as to allow for a raising of the lower sash 18, this raising, as discussed in detail, automatically disengaging the lock 42 so as to free the upper sash 14.

From the foregoing, it will be readily appreciated that a novel window structure has been defined which enables a convenient opening of either the upper or lower portion of the window, or simultaneous opening of both portions, without the necessity of restoring to various aids such as window poles. In addition, a novel locking means has been defined which enables both the upper and lower sash to be automatically and positively locked by merely a closing of the sashes thereby eliminating the difficulty normally encountered and the possibility of the window accidentially being left unlocked. Incidentally, while the structure has been defined as incorporated two locks for the upper sash, if so desired, only one such lock can be provided. Furthermore, it should be pointed out that while the above defined locking arrangement is particularly adapted for use with three vertically arranged sashes, such can also be used in a double-hung window by a slight modification thereof, for example, by the proivision of a spacing rail between the bottom rail of the upper sash and the upper or top rail of the lower sash so as to provide mounting space for the lock 42. which in this case would be secured solely to the side frame.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A window structure comprising an upper sash, a lower sash, and a middle sash, each sash including a top rail, a bottom rail and two side rails, said sashes being arranged in juxtaposed vertical planes with the upper and lower sashes being on opposite sides of the middle sash, lock means, said lock means selectively engaging the upper sash for preventing its lowering, said lower sash selectively engaging the lock means for effecting its release relative to the upper sash, said upper sash including a vertical extension depending therefrom for facilitating its lowering, the bottom rail of the upper sash, when the window is closed, being aligned with the top rail of the middle sash, and the top rail of the lower sash being aligned with the bottom rail of the middle sash, said extension consisting of secondary side and bottom rails extending parallel to the side and bottom rails of the middle sash.

2. The structure of claim 1 including means biasing the lock means toward locking engagement with the upper sash in a manner so as to automatically lock the upper sash upon a raising of this upper sash to its closed posi tion and a disengagement of the lower sash and lock means.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein the lower sash is disengaged from the lock means by a lowering of the lower sash to its closed position, and second lock means for locking said lower sash in its lowered closed position.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said lock means includes an elongated latch bar pivotally mounted on a rail of the middle sash for movement between a first position wherein the ends of the bar project outwardly from opposite sides of the middle sash into the planes of the upper and lower sashes, that end of the bar projecting into the plane of the upper sash including a hook portion thereon, the rail of the upper sash paralleling the rail upon which the latch is mounted including a slot therein within which the hook portion is engageable, that end of the bar projecting into the plane of the lower sash including an abutment portion thereon engageable by the lower sash for eifecting a pivotal movement of the hook portion out of engagement with the upper sash.

5. A window structure comprising an upper sash, a lower sash, and a middle sash, each sash including a top rail, a bottom rail and two side rails, said sashes being arranged in juxtaposed vertical planes with the upper and lower sashes being on opposite sides of the middle sash, lock means, said lock means selectively engaging the upper sash for preventing its lowering, said lower sash selectively engaging the lock means for effecting its release relative to the upper sash, said lock means including an elongated latch bar pivotally mounted on a rail of the middle sash for movement between a first position wherein the ends of the bar project outwardly from opposite sides of the midle sash into the planes of the upper and lower sashes, means resiliently biasing the bar into this first position, that end of the bar projectioning into the plane of the upper sash including a hook portion thereon, means on the upper sash within which the hook portion is engaged when the upper sash is raised, that end of the bar projecting into the plane of the lower sash including an abutment portion thereon engageable by the lower sash for elfecting a pivotal movement of the hook portion out of engagement with the upper sash.

6. A window structure comprising an upper sash, a lower sash, and a middle sash, each sash including a top rail, a bottom rail, and two side rails, said sashes being arranged in juxtaposed vertical planes with the upper and lower sashes being on opposite sides of the middle sash, said upper sash including a depending extension consisting of secondary side and bottom rails extending parallel to the side and bottom rails of the middle sash.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,031,124 7/12 Kane.

FOREIGN PATENTS 817,271 7/59 Great Britain.

28,251 2/08 Sweden.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WINDOW STRUCTURE COMPRISING AN UPPER SASH, A LOWER SASH, AND A MIDDLE SASH, EACH SASH INCLUDING A TOP RAIL, A BOTTOM RAIL AND TWO SIDE RAILS, SAID SASHES BEING ARRANGED IN JUXTAPOSED VERTICAL PLANES WITH THE UPPER AND LOWER SASHES BEING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE MIDDLE SASH, LOCK MEANS, SAID LOCK MEANS SELECTIVELY ENGAGING THE UPPER SASH FOR PREVENTING ITS LOWERING, SAID LOWER SASH SELECTIVELY ENGAGING THE LOCK MEANS FOR EFFECTING ITS RELEASE RELATIVE TO THE UPPER SASH, SAID UPPER SASH INCLUDING A VERTICAL EXTENSION DEPENDING THEREFROM FOR FACILITATING ITS LOWERING, THE BOTTOM RAIL OF THE UPPER SASH WHEN THE WINDOW IS CLOSED, BEING ALIGNED WITH THE TOP RAIL OF THE MIDDLE SASH, AND THE TOP RAIL OF THE LOWER SASH, SAID ALIGNED WITH THE BOTTOM RAIL OF THE MIDDLE SASH, SAID EXTENSION CONSISTING OF SECONDARY SIDE AND BOTTOM RAILS EXTENDING PARLLEL TO THE SIDE AND BOTTOM RAILS OF THE MIDDLE SASH. 